Napa River Inn
http://www.napariverinn.com

500 Main St
Napa, CA 94559-3353
(707) 251-8500

we stayed in the captain hatt suite, with fireplace, a living room with couch, claw foot tub and shower, plus king bed, the room had brick walls, like an apartment in a city, on the second floor, elevator, small lobby, very friendly and helpful staff, walking distance to the visitor center and river walk in downtown napa…

pet amenities included treats, bowl and mat, as well as a little blanket…

They offer a fun Girlfriend Getaway package called Girls Gone Wine… and a wonderful Spa package, too…

Girls Gone Wine! For anyone looking for a little escape in Northern California‘s beautiful Napa Valley, lush with world-class wineries, restaurants, spas and activities, the Girls Gone Wine package is a perfect option. Designed to enhance one‘s wine experience, this package is full of winery excursions, great cuisine and plenty of time for a little girlfriends gossip. Four girlfriends will enjoy two nights in a guest room with two double beds.

Additional options are available for the Girls Gone Wine getaway including exclusive discounts and the assistance of personal shopper at Cake Plate, downtown Napa‘s trendy shopping boutique full of the hottest fashions. While shopping, girls will be pampered while sipping champagne and munching on fresh baked cupcakes. Guests may also enjoy exclusive discounts at Napa Massage and Body Care such as a 15 minute add-on to any massage or a complimentary brow wax with any facial. Once the getaway comes to a close, guests will be given a “Wine Girl” shirt upon departure, as a take home momento of the great girlfiends getaway in the world renowned Napa Valley.

The Girls Gone Wine package, is available through July 31 and includes:

* Two nights for four people in a guest room with two double beds
* Complimentary bottle of Sophia Coppola sparkling wine upon arrival
* Catered breakfast from Sweetie Pie‘s Bakery each morning delivered to the guest room.
* Reserved VIP table and complimentary cover charge at SILO‘s Jazz Club
* Full-day wineries excursion with transportation and picnic lunch from Platypus Tours**
* Exclusive discounts to Cake Plate clothing boutique and personal shoppers**
* VIP coupon books at the Napa Premium Outlets.
* Exclusive discounts at Napa Massage and Body Care.
* Complimentary “Wine Girl” shirt upon departure.

The downtown river walk is a short trail from First Street to the Mill…

there are numerous restaurants, shops, bars and more… check out downtown Napa activities…

http://napadowntown.com/activities.html

breakfast is delivered to your door at an appointed time and you have a choice of different entrees, food is from the bakery next door Sweetie Pies… the fresh fruit parfait was really good and you have a choice of a hot sandwich with your choice of meat or no meat with egg and cheese, or quiche… plus a scone or muffin, quite filling and yummy… and it makes it really easy when you have a dog to be able to eat in your room.

The nearby Larson family winery is very pet friendly… and is along the way from Napa to the Bay area.

there are three on site dogs, sunny, bubba and don’t remember, but cici was more interested in the treat jar and barked at Leigh, to give her some tasty biscuits. cici’s tummy had been upset from all of the treats she acquired over the july 4th weekend (hot dogs and hamburgers in mendocino at the craft fair) so I did not want her to have any treats or much food …

the winery also has sheep, goats, horses and Seabiscuit the famous horse once trained there…

http://www.larsonfamilywinery.com/

at the crafts fair in Mendo, we also found out that cici may be related to a famous legend of a dog, named dot dog, mendocino legend that is… this dog apparently lived in mendocino and had puppies in vegas, so cici may be a descendant, she certainly has lots of dots and dots and spots and a very cute pink belly…

well, if you were to take a look into our car, in the front, I am driving via Motel 6, while Miss Cici is in the Dog Ritz Hilton in the back seat, with her plush comfy new dog bed compliments of the fabulous pet friendly Rosewood Sandhill Hotel with amazing Dogitude, (complete blog post will be up soon) as well as an assortment of blankets, pillows and sleeping bags underneath her. She’s got it cush while I do all the heavy driving. talk about pampered pups…

below are some tips for traveling with your dog… have dog will travel along the luxurious canine highway.

and you can obtain the items mentioned at your local Pet Food Express in Carmel or Napa and/or other locations as well as Diggidy Dog in Carmel, or perhaps your local pet shop.

1. be sure to bring shades (goggles or sunglasses) for your dog. don’t want the girl to get too much sun in her eyes.

2. pack at least one doggie bathing suit for the swimming pool and beach. A two piece bikini or a one piece is fine, depending upon the girl dog. Remember Dot the traveling dog bikini? Dot does not come in Cici’s size, and she prefers a one piece suit with lots of room, to cover her white furry polka dot pink belly.

3. furshionista petiquette demands dog booties, or consider flip flops for your furry friend, that way their paws won’t get too hot on steamy concrete and will be protected from sundrenched (aka stinging) grass and spurs that stick in her paws.

4. another must pack item is a water fountain for keeping the girl hydrated in style

5. bring bones, treats, toys, bowls, balls, bully sticks, and chewies in your doggie’s very own furshionable suitcase (like the Doggytug kind)…

6. since your puppy is number uno, she should also have her own pup tent

7. your doggie deserves her own portable swimming pool so she can invite her pals over for a quick splash, marco polo, and a swimming vest just in case, your dog gets into deep water, woof !

8. every dog needs a portable camping chair to snooze on

9. cici’s delicate white fur and pink skin requires gentle and all natural sun tan lotion such as coconut oil

10. bring along some Bach flower remedies, as well as other all natural aids in your first aid kit just in case…

11. towels are a must for wiping off muddy paws, wiping off wet dogs and playing tug of war

12. please don’t forget the surfboard

and if there is any room left in the car for you, consider yourself blessed by your dog. Drive, James…

California dog beaches, here we come !

cici knew it before the scientists…

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5552628/Dogs-are-smarter-than-cats-research-shows.html

dogs are psychic, too…

cici responds much better to my telepathic messages usually…

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/paranormal_realm/118633

http://www.usa-psychics.com/free-psychic-guidance/psychic-dogs.html

http://www.louthleader.co.uk/mablethorpe-sutton-on-sea-news/39PSYCHIC39-DOG-PREDICTS-QUAKE.3844806.jp

Thanks to Kelly Stafford who has generously offered some beautiful gifts to winner(s) of the funny/heartwarming dog travel stories/photos contest. Deadline is August 15, 2009, so send yours in today…

Gift package includes Pet spa products, Organic treats, Chews, Toy’s (Tuffies, Go Dog, AKC, and more), Standing iron bowl set / size depends on breed and more !!!

tell your friends, associates and neighbors to enter the contest, too…

Are you planning to take or recently took a trip with your dog in California? Tell us about it… did you stay at any of the inns, hotels or B&B’s mentioned here? visit any of the pet friendly wineries? go to any of the beaches, parks or campgrounds? take your dog shopping, spa-ing or swimming? email or comment or twitter, send photos, with what and how you and your best friend are tripping and if posted, you will win a cool gift… for your hot dog(s) … funny, heartwarming and interesting shaggy dog stories welcome !

taking your dog on a trip can be a fun experience or disaster, tell us how great it was, how awful and everything in between… does your dog need charm school? did your dog do something dastardly, hysterical, or what? curious minds wanna know and feature you and your pooch(es) right here… so do tell us !

and if the hotel, inn or resort offers wild pet amenities for pampering your pooch like these, please do tell…

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/outrageous-hotel-perks-for-pets

cici is the final judge of the funniest story, poem, or photo, be creative… and keep your K9 cool, woof !

The Victorian Inn, Best Western, is in walking distance from the historic Cannery Row (John Steinbeck wrote a book about the sardine factories), walk to art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and shops and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a wonderful place to take kids (not dogs)… and there are more than 45 wineries in the area (some are pet friendly)…

Check out the nearby beaches, shopping and tourist sights with your best friend.

Their Monterey Pet Friendly Pooch Package* includes

* Overnight accommodations for two
* Souvenir pet bowl
* Complimentary bottle of water
* Complimentary pet treats

*Up to two pets per room. Fee of $30 per day per pet, there are 70 rooms, and 12 are pet friendly

breakfast was a variety of bagels with butter, cream cheese, hard boiled eggs, muffins, fresh fruit (bananas), cereals, hot and cold, plus orange and apple juice, coffee, tea and hot chocolate and a delicious banana bread with nuts and fruit…

we stayed in Room 121, with a king bed, fireplace and patio. There is a jacuzzi/hot tub spa on property as well as a parking lot. In the afternoon, the inn hosts a nice evening wine and cheese reception with a variety of local wines and an abundance of cheese and crackers.

In walking distance is a bike path to walk your pooch and two dog friendly shops we stopped in were both rock/gem shops…

Rock Your World has a live-in dog (who was not there) but Cici got his bully stick to take home…

Gems by the Sea had a nice and unique assortment of crystals and jewelry…

If you are seeking a fun Girlfriend’s Getaway with or without dogs, the Victorian Inn offers affordable mid-week rates and you can also sign up for email offers for exclusive hotel specials and vacation package discounts… Enjoy savings of up to 20% when you book using the Advanced Purchase Special. Reservation: 800-232-4141.

and don’t forget to bring a beach robe to pamper your pooch…

http://www.coastalliving.com/lifestyle/pamper-pet-00400000000860/page9.html

http://dogblog.8pawsup.com/2009/06/4th-of-july-dog-safety.html

fourth of july is Saturday, SUMMER IS HERE…. be sure to keep your pets safe …

Happy 4th !!!

for inspiration, am reading Jon Katz book about his beautiful hospice dogs… Izzy and Lenore…

http://www.bedlamfarm.com/bedlam_dogs.asp

fun dog days of summer events for pooches

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31489891/ns/travel-pet_travel/

July 11: SurfinPaws Dog Jam
Huntington Beach, Calif. — America’s original surf city — is hosting the first annual SurfinPaws Dog Jam. All dogs are welcome. There are free surfing clinics for those who have never “hung 20″ on a board before. Experienced surfing hounds can bring their own gear but the organizers will also have boards and life jackets on hand for first timers. The fun starts at 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The entrance fee is $25.50 and the ticket also gives you and your dog access to the red carpet awards party being held across the street at the Waterfront Hilton Hotel from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. All pooches are invited to walk the red carpet and have their photograph taken. The event benefits the Orange Country Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

August 6: In the Kitchen with Rick
The Hotel Monaco in Portland, Ore., is hosting a baking demonstration to teach pet parents how to make droolicious dog treats. Rick Woodford, creator of Dog Stew, a brand of homemade dog food made in the city, and author of the upcoming book “Feed Your Best Friend Better,” will demonstrate his bacon “yappetizers”. Canine guests are invited to taste test. If you can’t make this date, the hotel hosts a Mutt Mixer on the first Thursday of every month throughout the summer between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

August 8 and 9: Dog Days of Summer
Mutt Lynch Winery is celebrating its fifth annual Dog Days of Summer event. It’s a wonderful opportunity to taste new wines, socialize in this magnificent vineyard setting and enjoy the dog art on exhibition. All proceeds from the event are donated to the Healdsburg Animal Shelter; a private, nonprofit animal welfare organization. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Admission is $10 per person, and dogs are free. However, a “poop” tax or “bark” tax will be charged for wayward dogs and donated to the shelter too. Check here for directions and details.

Pet Airways is officially taking reservations! pet airline cleared for take off !

They’ve scheduled New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles as the first cities, and have a “treat” for your pet when it comes to prices.

Anywhere, Anytime Introductory Offer of $149
Put the leash down and read this, for a limited time, they are offering an Anywhere, Anytime Introductory Offer of $149!

at Pet Airways, it costs $149 to fly your pet in the main cabin with a trained and loving Pet Attendant to care for your loved one. No cargo ! Only First Class for your pet! Do you have cat scratch fever and want to travel this summer? Visit the website: www.petairways.com/content/reservations

http://petairways.com/content/why-fly-pet-airways

ugly in the eye of the beholder thanks to Alyssa_Milano, RT @TIME: See photos of the world’s ugliest dog show http://su.pr/ADZIdD

http://www.dogguide.net/blog/2009/06/boxer-mix-wins-2009-ugliest-dog-contest/

stayed at the blackberry inn, near raven lane, off highway one, on the way to the town of mendocino, the whole inn looks like a Hollywood western movie set, with a Land office, General Store, Saloon, Bank, Sheriff, Blacksmith and Milliner store, really quaint and adorable, not at all like a motel… much more like a b and b, very peaceful and quiet, with a landscape filled with flowers and grassy areas large enough for Cici to play on.

Our room was the General Store with a fireplace, ocean view, color tv, fridge, microwave, king sized bed, two nice chairs, a writing desk, basket filled with fresh fruit (apple, banana, orange, and kiwi), a cookie (delish), popcorn and two muffins, plus two chocolate kisses and a big dog treat. there are two pet rooms, the other one has two queen beds, and there is $10 pet fee.

the town of mendo seems to have new stores, we found a bookstore with a few dogs inside, cici got attacked by a little dog and showed off her belly, did her floor show several times, got a biscuit for her efforts, and we had a lovely day just checking out the stores.